After looking at several locations, the Shultzes decided the Redlands Mall was the best place to bring their business.

“We really liked its central location,” Cindy said. “It’s easier to tell people `Redlands Mall.’ Many of our teachers didn’t like driving out to Yucaipa – this is closer for them.”

Mall officials have also been accommodating to the piano recitals the store hosts, agreeing the Shultzes to hold them in a mall hallway.

“The mall seemed like a pretty good fit,” Greg Shultz said. “We hold a lot of recitals in our store, and they are friendly to that. The music teachers are all very happy about the move.”

The Shultzes are not particularly concerned about moving into the mall as it loses its largest retailer, Gottchalks.

“We were cautious initially, but everything fell into place so smoothly that we knew this was the place,” Cindy said. “We’re not too worried- we hope someone will replace Gottchalks. We are hopefully optimistic.

“We hope there is more foot traffic down there,” Greg said.

Oak Valley Piano, according to Greg, is one of the largest sheet music retailers in the Inland Empire, so music teachers are a frequent clientele, and most are from Redlands or Loma Linda.

The Yucaipa location will be open through May 16, and they will be open during regular mall hours, except Sundays, beginning May 20. The store will be at 141 Redlands Mall, and the new phone number will be (909) 792-9300. For more information, visit www.oakvalleypianos.com